Wiggins jumps to Crédit Agricole

World pursuit champion Bradley Wiggins has announced plans to move from fdjeux.com to Crédit Agricole for 2004.
Wiggins, who recently won

By VeloNews Interactive

World pursuit champion Bradley Wiggins has announced plans to move from fdjeux.com to Crédit Agricole for 2004.

Wiggins, who recently won the world pursuit title in Stuttgart, is following in the tracks of another great British pursuiter in signing up with a team managed by Roger Legeay.

Legeay, who was manager of British cycling star and 1992 Olympic Gold medalist Chris Boardman’s team throughout his professional career, said Wiggins showed great potential in his win at world’s as well as his performance on the road this season.

The fact that Boardman had been advising Bradley over the past few months cemented the connection and interest that lead to Wiggins’ signing a new contract.

“Since my world championship victory I have had a lot to think about and have come to the conclusion that next season was a good time for a fresh start and to take on more responsibility,” Wiggins said. “Crédit Agricole and Mr. Legeay are giving me precisely that opportunity. The team has shown a lot of confidence in me and that finally made up my mind.

“Although the Olympics of course is and always has been a big personal target of mine I hope to make an impact on some of the world’s big road events and could be riding the Tour de France where feel I could produce a good ride in the prologue and learn a great deal for the future.”

Wiggins noted that while he is excited by the move, his decision was nonetheless a difficult one.

“I have really enjoyed riding for Marc Madiot and fdjeux.com, and they supported me well in my preparation for the world’s this year and are a great bunch of lads,” he said. “They have a lot of top riders in my team at present and of course so does my new team but at Crédit Agricole I have been given assurances, providing I prove I can come up with the goods, of a lot more freedom and opportunities.

“Next season I will be in my third year as a professional so it is a good time to have specific targets and to find out just what I can achieve in the future.”

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